.United States Army Unit Awards.

The Presidential Unit Citation, Army[PUC]

Effective 03 NOV 1966, the Distinguished Unit Citation was redesignated
the Presidential Unit
Citation (Army). The PUC is awarded to units of the United States
Armed Forces and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in
action against an armed enemy occuring on or after 07 DEC 1941. The
unit must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps
in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous
conditions as to set it apart from and above other units participating
in the same campaign. The degree of heroism required is the same as
that which would warrant award of a Distinguished Service Cross to
an individual. Extended periods of combat duty or participation in
a large number of operational missions, either ground or air, is not
sufficient.

The PUC is authorized for purchase and wear as a permanent part of
the uniform
by those individuals who served with the unit during the cited period.

It may be worn temporarily by those persons serving in the unit subsequent
to the cited period.

Second and subsequent awards are denoted by wear of the bronze Oak
Leaf Cluster;
a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze.

When awarded for combat or direct combat support, a bronze "V" device
is worn. (AR 670-1)

The Joint Meritorious Unit
Award[JMUA]

Awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense to Joint Activities
of the DoD for meritorious achievement or service, superior to that
normally expected, during combat with an armed enemy of the United
States, during a declared national emergency, or under extraordinary
circumstances that involved the national interest.

Second and subsequent awards are denoted by wear of the bronze Oak
Leaf Cluster;
a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze.

The Valorous Unit Award[VUA]

Criteria are the same as those for the Presidential Unit Citation
except that the degree of valor required is that which would merit
award of the Silver Star to an individual. The initial eligibility
date is 03 AUG 1963.
The emblem is a scarlet ribbon with the Silver Star color design superimposed
in the center.

Second and subsequent awards are denoted by wear of the bronze Oak
Leaf Cluster;
a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze.

The Meritorious Unit Commendation
(Army)[MUC]

Awarded for, at least, six months of exceptionally meritorious conduct
in support of military operations to service and support units of
the US Armed Forces and cobelligerent nations during the period 01
JAN 1944 through
15 SEP 1946, during the Korean War, and after 01 MAR 1961. The
degree of achievement is that which would merit the award of the Legion
of Merit to an individual.

Second and subsequent awards are denoted by wear of the bronze Oak
Leaf Cluster;
a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze.

The award was originally a patch worn on the right lower sleeve:

Second and subsequent awards were denoted by the number of the latest
award within the wreath.

The newer ribbon emblem was approved as early as 1947,
but the unused stock of the patches delayed implementation until 1961.

The Army Superior Unit Award[ASUA]

Awarded for outstanding meritorious performance of a difficult and
challenging mission under extraordinary circumstances by a unit during
peacetime. Peacetime is defined as any period during which wartime
or combat awards are not authorized in the geographical area in which
the mission was executed.

The Secretary of the Army has approved a change to the criteria for
the ASUA which will allow for award to units which distinguish themselves
while conducting humanitarian missions. The unit must have performed
the humanitarian mission for a minimum of three months. Previously,
the ASUA could not be approved for operations purely of humanitarian
nature. The effective date of this change is 25 July 1994. Recommendations
for the ASUA submitted under the amended criteria will not cover periods
of service prior to 25 July 1994.

Second and subsequent awards are denoted by wear of the bronze Oak
Leaf Cluster;
a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze.